Alopecia Areata: Signs, Causes, Treatment

Losing hair is a common problem we all face. There are several reasons why hair fall occurs in one. It is such a common problem among everyone today that we don't lose our sleep over it. With a little TLC and a proper hair care routine the problem gets solved. But it is not so easy for some people.

Many people experience weeks or months of hair fall. It occurs not only during brushing or washing their hair, but also whenever you touch it you see lumps of hair in your hair. This is a pressing issue.

You may be losing hair, not because of your diet, or lifestyle, but because of Alopecia Areata. It is one of the many diseases that lead to hair fall.

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune disorder in which the hair follicles are attacked by your own immune system. You will notice hair loss not just from your body, but also from other parts of your body.

Signs to look out for

• Bald patches- You may not notice them at first, the hair loss results in several bald patches on your scalp or on anywhere from where the hair is falling. People take notice when these patches get connected, then you realise how much hair you have lost. The patches will get larger and become bald spots.
• Unpredictable hair loss- While people with alopecia areata experienced hair fall and lots of it in a short time, but in the beginning, many people experience only insignificant hair fall. Your hair may grow back in one place and falls out in another. The hair fall pattern is unpredictable and it varies differently in each case.
• Brittle nails- Alopecia Areata affects your nails as well causing your fingernails, toenails to become red and brittle. You will notice them splitting, and become pitted.
• Full-body hair loss- You will notice your hair falling out from your eyebrows, eyelashes, and bald spots in other parts of your body.

What causes Alopecia Areata?

In autoimmune diseases, the body's own immune system attacks healthy tissues of the body. It is unknown what causes the system to react this way. In Alopecia Areata, the body's immune system attacks the hair follicles which leads to disruption of normal hair growth.
No evidence or research points to only one reason for Alopecia Areata. Doctors believe people with a family history of these diseases or any other autoimmune disease has the chance of suffering from Alopecia Areata.

Treatment

There's no cure for this disease. For many people, it's temporary, while for many it's lifelong. The condition may result in complete hair loss and prevent the further growth of hair.

However, there are treatments that will slow down the future loss of hair, or promote fast hair growth.
Steroid injections is a common treatment method for regrowing hair. 
Doctors suggest topical medicines like minoxidil, corticosteroid creams for stimulating hair growth.
Home remedies like hot oil massage, yoga, onion juice may promote new hair growth.

Dr. V.S Rathore with an experience of more than 17 years is an expert hair transplant surgeon in Kolkata. He has 4 clinics across Kolkata and a team of dedicated professional surgeons for who the patient's well being is the sole priority. Dr. V.S Rathore has served over 5000 patients from across the country. Visit drvsrathore.com to get solutions to all skin and hair problems.